SIRDEP History

SIRDEP is a non-governmental (NGO), apolitical, and non-lucrative business organization operating in Cameroon with its head quarters in Bamenda, North West Region. SIRDEP was founded in 1992 and secured official recognition from the state of Cameroon on May 4, 1993. SIRDEP membership is composed of a multi-disciplinary team of seasoned professionals in development work with advanced training as foresters, agronomists, agro -economists, livestock specialists, and rural engineers. The team has expertise and extensive experiences in development work with an emphasis on project management, capacity building, agriculture/ livestock production, knowledge manegment, and natural resources management. This quality of membership coupled with a well qualified staff constitute SIRDEP’s greatest asset.

The four founding members (Mbony Wilson, Mbah Grace, Ekwoge Gladys, and Muflam Christopher) worked in the German Technical Assistance (GTZ) -funded project named Promotion of Adapted Farming Systems based on Animal Traction (PAFSAT) until 1992. At that time the project was phased out and discussions were underway to integrate its realizations and activities into either the North West Development Authority (MIDENO), or the Provincial Delegation of Agriculture for the North West. In response, the four founding members of SIRDEP, who were part of PAFSAT staff, created SIRDEP as an alternative way to render services to the grassroots effectively.

Convinced in their own abilities, the four members took the risk to get SIRDEP functioning at the time where no legal framework governing the creation of NGOs existed in Cameroon. SIRDEP’s creation was therefore linked to the existing Law no. 99/014 of December 22, 1999 bearing on the creation of Associations, to have official recognition of the state of Cameroon given that all NGOs operating in Cameroon at the time had their origin from out of the country.

Despite its modest start and the difficulties operating in an unfavorable environment, we have come a long way to record big successes, namely: establishing evidence of quality professional service delivery to the grassroots population, groups, and development organizations; supporting human development and environmental protection; and creating employment opportunities and wealth.

SIRDEP is a learning organization whose work lays emphasis on rural development; responding to the fact that more than 80% of the active population of the North West Region is involved in agriculture. It is also estimated that close to 70% of the regional rural population lives below the poverty line, reasons for which SIRDEP targets individual farmers and farming groups, rural and poor urban populations, family units, rural communities with local councils, NGOs, governmental organizations, and other stakeholders with an interest in rural development.

Throughout its history, SIRDEP has approached development with a heavy emphaiss on particiaption, fostering meaningful partnerships which prepare its clients to gain autonomy and achieve sustainable development within their environments.